A ‘WONDERFUL educational opportunity’ awaits the first students to attend one of the country’s newest schools, according to a senior cabinet minister.
Cabinet Minister without Portfolio Amanda Milling, Schools Minister Nick Gibb, and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey visited the Houlton School development in Rugby as it prepares to welcome its first Year 7 students in September.
The school, built in and around the historic Rugby Radio Station site, will offer over 1,000 places for pupils throughout the Rugby area.
The £35million project was funded through partnerships with Department for Education and Homes England.
The Houlton School will host purpose-built science, technology, engineering and maths and humanities buildings, alongside specialist broadcast and radio facilities and a sports centre available for community use.
Amanda Milling praised the team who have safely worked throughout the pandemic to ensure that the school is able to open in September.
She said: “Pupils coming here in a couple of months will have a wonderful educational opportunity and I wish them all the best of luck for the new school year.”
Nick Gibb said he was impressed by the potential of the school and the vision of the people behind the project, including Principal Designate Michael McCulley.
He said: “I am sure the facilities here and the staff who will work in them can deliver an excellent education for every child who attends.”
Mark Pawsey said he was thrilled to see the development near completion.
He said: “It has been great to see the project go from concept to now just being a few weeks away from welcoming a new generation of youngsters.
“I know that the hard work which has gone into making the school a reality will be appreciated by the generations of young people who will get a great education there, starting this September.”
Richard Coppell, Group Director of Development at Houlton master developers Urban&Civic, said: “We were delighted to showcase Houlton School and what we have achieved across the wider Houlton development.
“We are proud to be putting Rugby on the map for delivering successful infrastructure-led housing development.”
